An emerging virus called Zika has been found in many countries, including the United States. This new illness has the clinical presentation of dengue. It can be transmitted sexually and transplacentally and may lead to severe neurological problems, including microcephaly and Guillain-Barre syndrome. There are two main types of infections: asymptomatic and severe. In most cases, a person does not experience any symptoms, but it is important to seek medical attention for any signs of this disease.
The CDC recommends that people travel to countries that are not yet reporting cases. This is important because ZIKV is spread via air travel. If a pregnant woman is infected in one country, she can transmit the virus to her baby in the next by infecting other travelers. The CDC recommends that anyone with suspected Zika virus infection report to local health departments and state health departments. The CDC also urges healthcare providers to report any lab-confirmed cases to ArboNET or the CDC.
Laboratory tests can identify ZIKV infection based on RNA present in the patient’s blood. The tests use RNA from the body of infected patients. This viral strand is detected in serum, plasma, urine, saliva, and amniotic fluid. A newly developed PCR assay derived from a 2007 Yap Islands outbreak was designed to detect ZIKV RNA. The PCR assay requires a specific primer/probe mix and an appropriate eluate volume.
The disease is most severe in pregnant women. This outbreak also coincided with an outbreak of microcephaly, a disorder that affects babies. Those affected may experience developmental delays, vision defects, and blindness, all of which are potentially life-threatening. The best way to protect yourself from the virus is to avoid mosquito bites and to take preventative measures. You can read the full report from the CDC here.
There are numerous cases of the virus in the United States and other countries. The disease can be spread via air travel. It has been reported in more than 86 countries and is expected to expand in the future. It is transmitted by the Aedes mosquitoes, which are common in the United States during warmer months. During this time, Aedes mosquitoes are present in about 30 different states. This is a big problem since travelers can infect other countries without symptoms.
In recent years, the virus has been spread in the U.S. by local mosquito transmission. The first cases of infection were seen in the Miami area in 2015. The virus has also spread to Texas and the Caribbean. Although the outbreak is ongoing in the U.S., it has not spread widely in the U.S. Previously, only people in Africa had symptoms. Currently, however, the virus is widespread and has caused numerous complications in the US.
